Improvement in torpedo-boats



UNIT-ED STATESl PATENT FFICE.

HENRY F. KNAPP, OF NEW YRK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN TORPEDO-BATS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 158,501, dated January5, 1875,' application filed September 23, 1873.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY F. KNAPP, ofthecity, county, and State of New York, have invented an ImprovedTorpedo-Boat, of which the following is a specication:

Figure lis a side elevation, partly in section, of my improvedtorpedo-boat. Fig. 2 is a top view, partly in section, of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both gures.

The object of this invention is to produce a selfpropelling torpedo forsubmarine purposes, that will retain its propelling power sutlicientlylong to be carried in a suitable direction, and any desired distance,against the object to be struck.

The invention consists in various new arrangements of parts inconnection with the propelling apparatus, as hereinafter more fullydescribed, and also in a new steering apparatus, which is to some extentself-acting, but which can be regulated from the shore or from any xedpoint, in order t0 cause the boat to be moved in any desired direction.

Ain the drawing is the body of the torpedo or boat, built of lightmetal, cigar-shaped, of

suitable length and width, and containing a small rotary or otherengine, B, the shaft C of which extends through the forward part of theshell A and carries the propeller D, and beyond the propeller apercussion-torpedo, E, which is set on loosely, so as not to revolvewith the shaft. The propeller is placed forward of the boat, so as toinsure a straight and direct course, as in most cases it will bepreferable to use it without a rudder, which for short distances' it isoften possible to do. A buoy, F, connects by a stem, G, with the boat A,as shown, and serves to hold it suspended at a suitable distance belowthe waterline, the depth being regulated by the length of the rod G. Theengine B receives its gas, that causes its action, through a long pipe,H, which is placed within the shell A, to completely or nearly ll thesame, one end of the pipe communicating with the inlet-port of theengine, while its other end is closed. Near the inlet the pipe has abranch, a, that connects with a percussion-nipple or frictionprimer, I,which is applied, by preference, to the outside of the shell A, and canbe operated by a hammer, for the purpose of starting combustion.

When the boat has been launched and placed in the desired direction,provided it is to be used without a rudder, the hammer on thepercussion-nipple is caused to descend, which can be done by means of astring, b, reaching to such hammer, or by other suitable means, andcombustion in the pipe H will then take place and the contents of thepipe gradually be consumed. The gas thus escaping from the pipe entersthe ports of the e11- gine B, and causes, thereby, such engine to impartrotary motion to the shaft C and propeller D. The exhaust-pipe d of theengine extends downward through the shell A, and is theri bent backward,so that the escaping gas will aid the propeller D in moving the boat,the power of the engine being thus compounded.

The engine herein described, and the means for operating it andconnecting it with the propelling apparatus form no part of this in-Vention, but are intended to form the subject of a separate applicationfor Letters Patent, and are only described herein for the purpose ofillustrating the mode in which I propose to carry out this invention.

For all practical purposes, this torpedo can be operated without arudder; but if for any cause it should be necessary to have a rudder,

I arrange the same in the following manner: The body of the rudder J ispivoted to the stern of the boat, as shown, and one side of it isconnected with the boat by a spring, L, having a certain tension and thetendency always to bear the rudder to one side, preferably to starboard.The opposite side of the rudder is, by a chain, f, or other means,connected with the piston g of a small air-cylinder, M, that is attachedto the shell A, as shown, and a flexible table, N, extends from theair-cylinder to the shore or place whence the torpedo is started, andsaid flexible tubing is worked by an air-pump to move the piston up, andso that the helm follows the piston. This pump has a cock to permitescape of air to let the piston back again. This tube the torpedo dragsafter it from a coil of sufficient length. If the springL is notcounteracted, the rudder will be pulled to the starboard by the springL, and the helm of the boat will be directed to port. It' it isnecessary to change from such course, it is only necessary to bloW intothe tube N, and thus move the piston g so as to draw the rudder overtoward port, and thus change the direction ot' the boat. By thisarrangement, therefore, the boat may be fully controlled from shore, orfrom any point from which it has been started. In connection with thebow-propeller D, a stern-propeller may also be used, it1 desired.

The percussion-torpedo E may be of suitable construction` and is to beso arranged that it will be exploded Whenever it strikes an object. Itmay be charged with nitro-glycerine or other powerful explosive matter.

The steering-cylinder and piston, to avoid resistance in Water, may beplaced on the inside ofthe shell A, and Work to the same advantage. Thegeneral arrangement of this torpedo-boat is also thoroughly applicableto other motive power, such as steam, carbonioacid gas, &c.

I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. Thecombination ot' the propeller D and propeller-shaft C With thepercussion-torpedo E, all arranged as specil'ed.

2. The rudder J, combined with the spring L and piston g, as and for thepurpose described.

3. The combination of the llexible tube N With the cylinder M, piston g,rudder J, and spring L, all arranged as specified.

HENRY F. KNAPP.

Witnesses:

F. V. BRIEsEN, EDWIN H. BROWN.

